Parents of tragic Zoe raise £70k for charity

Peter and Julie Teale began fundraising for Cardiac Risk in the Young after their 23-year-old daughter Zoe died from an undetected heart condition in 2009.

They initially set out to raise £10,000 but have received £70,000 in donations and through fundraising activities.

Zoe, a former Great Wyrley High School pupil, worked at the Fitness First gym in Wednesbury and was an enthusiastic swimmer for 10 years, having competed for Bilston Swimming Club and Birmingham University, where she studied for a sports degree.

Since her death, her parents have helped screen more than 1,000 young people to raise awareness.

Mr Teale from Cheslyn Hay, said: “Zoe had an incredible zest for life and it has been absolutely devastating to have her taken away from us.

“People don’t know they have a heart defect until it is too late, so that is why it’s important they get themselves screened. To raise £70,000 is a tremendous achievement. I didn’t think we would even reach £10,000.

“The community has been great giving donations and I think it just goes to show that they are keen to help young people, especially with Stephen Sutton’s amazing story recently hitting the headlines.”

Mr Teale, a teacher at Old Swinford Hospital boarding school in Stourbridge, has organised a heart screening event at Aston Villa Football Club for people aged 14 to 35 to get tested.

The 52-year-old said: “The event has been organised for people to get themselves checked out so that they don’t have to go through what we have as a family.

“I honestly think heart screening should be made compulsory in all schools across the country because it would help save a lot of lives. I don’t want people to forget Zoe, I want them to continue to fundraise and keep her in their memory.”

The screening event will be held on June 7 and 8. Places are limited. To book visit www.testmyheart.org or to make a donation in Zoe’s memory visit ww.justgiv ing.com/Zoe-means-life